Kuzma is better with playmakers, Ingram is better without them. Took a couple miracle threes for Houston to win it. KCPs airball three was tough to watch. He really hadn't shot all game that wasn't the time to start.

I will always choose a finisher over a starter which is why I would choose Ingram over Kuzma. It's not how you start but how you finish.

This team can build something with Zubac and Ingram if they continue to work on the things that can be taught. The both of them know how to finish and that's innate.

Just offer those other players for something better.

BI hit some nice OT shots and all of a sudden he is a finisher? I guess we'll just ignore his play in countless other 4th quarters this season. Im not trying to put BI down, but I find it hard to believe anyone who has watched the Lakers this season has come to the conclusion that he is a late-game closer.

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

At full strength the Lakers are better than any team in the West except for GSW. They can beat anyone in a 7 game series. The kids are starting to get it.

The issue is availability. It’s part of the game so you have to be durable. They may miss the playoffs because of the durability issues.

However, no team outside of GSW will beat them in the playoffs...Stephen A is correct.

Dawg... how many beers deep are you?

Sober. Full strength no one other than GSW beats them.

Rockets? They won’t get all the BS calls in the playoffs.
OKC? Sixers West. Overrated with flaws.
Nuggets? paper tiger regular season team.
Blazers? We know their track record
Utah? One player to shutdown.
Spurs?

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

He's getting a depleted team to play at a high level like it or not

High level, like not having a decent out of bounds play?

he does remind me of PJ in that regard

Phil was pretty frustrating as a coach at times, but can't argue with the overall results.

He also had a plan and stuck with it. He would implement the triangle and had the foremost expert on the offense to teach it to the players. He didn't bail out the players with timeouts because he wanted them to use the training they were given.

But truth be told, Kobe and MJ didn't need the triangle. The triangle was really for the rest of the players, for the "non-superstars" to give them something to do. Kobe and MJ could just take over the game on their own.

Problem is Luke hasn't installed an offense yet (after three years!!!!). And if he tried, he doesn't have a Tex Winter to implement it. Without an established offense, the Lakers have problems executing simple actions and often resort to ISO ball.

Likewise Lebron doesn't need an "offense" but the other players do. Otherwise they stand around and just watch while Lebron does his thing. There's some basic stuff they run but most of the time they just stand still.

some really valuable learning moments tonight...have to give Luke credit. I thought he lost the team there for a second but he has everyone competing now.

Next step is when you start to see EVERYONE diving for loose balls

The kids did compete tonight but let's not get carried away here and start riding Luke's jock.

The lack of an offensive play system still hurts the Lakers when they go into ISO mode. It still hurts that the Lakers can't run a viable out of bounds play from a time out. The wonky lineups are still a huge problem with the lack of success. It's basically as if they coaches want to give the team every possible disadvantage possible to see if they'll survive.

He's getting a depleted team to play at a high level like it or not

High level, like not having a decent out of bounds play?

he does remind me of PJ in that regard

Phil was pretty frustrating as a coach at times, but can't argue with the overall results.

He also had a plan and stuck with it. He would implement the triangle and had the foremost expert on the offense to teach it to the players. He didn't bail out the players with timeouts because he wanted them to use the training they were given.

But truth be told, Kobe and MJ didn't need the triangle. The triangle was really for the rest of the players, for the "non-superstars" to give them something to do. Kobe and MJ could just take over the game on their own.

Problem is Luke hasn't installed an offense yet (after three years!!!!). And if he tried, he doesn't have a Tex Winter to implement it. Without an established offense, the Lakers have problems executing simple actions and often resort to ISO ball.

Likewise Lebron doesn't need an "offense" but the other players do. Otherwise they stand around and just watch while Lebron does his thing. There's some basic stuff they run but most of the time they just stand still.

I agree and as much as I loved PJ I would rather try the 'install the d first' philosophy now the way the association is

PJ never practiced defense and it was frustrating but it worked...I'm giving Luke's 'these guys having been playing offense all their lives' philosophy some time to simmer.
He will fine tune it in the playoffs .... I hope